With the early season success of Knicks 1st rounder Kristaps Porzingis, Zach Lowe has some insight on draft night deal-making. We knew the Celtics tried to get Charlotte’s pick at #9, but apparently Boston wanted to move up even higher:
Porzingis was there, though not without some drama. The Celtics were hell-bent on moving up to draft Justise Winslow, and offered the Hornets four first-round picks — including one of Brooklyn’s unprotected picks — for Charlotte’s No. 9 pick. But that was Boston’s fall-back plan, sources say. Boston initially chased Charlotte’s pick with the idea of sending it to the Knicks, along with Boston’s No. 15 pick, to vault all the way into New York’s draft slot — where they would take Winslow. Charlotte refused Boston’s pitches, and the scenario died. The Knicks downplay their interest in Boston’s offer, though it’s fascinating to consider how the draft might have played out — and which fan base would be chanting “POR-ZIN-GIS!” today — had the Celtics swooped in for Winslow at No. 4
“We listened,” Mills says. “But we were never close.”
Wow… Danny Ainge REALLY liked Winslow. I wonder how’d you all feel if the Celtics had a chance for the 7-3 Latvian but passed? Winslow has played ok, but he hasn’t set the world on fire like Porzingis.
Lowe’s article explores the possibility of NY trading 31-year old Carmelo Anthony. The Celtics are one of a slew of teams reference:
Boston Celtics: A popular nominee among rival executives, since the Celtics could acquire Anthony, their alleged missing go-to guy, without hurting their current team. Even James Dolan would have to think about a package of David Lee, Brooklyn’s unprotected 2016 first-round pick, and salary filler.
That pick could become Ben Simmons! Rebuilding around Porzingis, and without Anthony, would bring some short-term pain, but that pick is exactly the sort of asset that is worth some pain. The pick probably won’t become Ben Simmons, of course. Brooklyn is bad, but it’s hard to imagine them finishing behind Philly or the Lakers. Even in the losingest scenario, they’ll enter the lottery in third position — with only a 15.6 percent chance at landing the top pick.
There is no evidence these teams have ever discussed a Melo deal, per league sources. Boston likely wants a better gauge on where Brooklyn’s pick might end up, and Melo doesn’t fit their developmental timeline — or Brad Stevens’ pass-happy style of play.
Ainge should be committed to an insane asylum if he involves the Brooklyn pick in a deal for Carmelo. At one time I was intrigued with the possibility of Anthony playing for the Celtics. But he’s going to be 32 in May, and while quickness has never been a big part of his game, I’m a bit nervous trading a major asset for an aging star.
